The eastern shriketit (Falcunculus frontatus) is a species of passerine bird in the family Falcunculidae. It is also known as bark tit, crested tit or yellow-bellied tit.
It is found in south-eastern Australia from the southeast of South Australia, throughout Victoria, eastern New South Wales to southeastern Queensland, with some scattered occurrences further north and west in Queensland.[3]
The eastern shriketit is 15–19 cm (5.9–7.5 in) in overall length, with a wingspan of 24–29 cm (9.4–11.4 in). The males weigh 26.5–40 g (0.9–1.4 oz) and the females 23–33 g (0.8–1.2 oz).
The eastern shriketit has a mantle, back and rump that are olive-brown to olive-green. The underparts are yellow. The head features broad white patches separated by a thick black eyeline with another black band running over the crown from the bill to the nape. The male has an erectable crest. It has a large bill with which to lever and strip bark. The throat of the male is black, whereas that of the female is olive-brown. Juveniles have a similar head pattern to adults but the throat, breast and belly are buffy-white, and the wings are browner.
The call of the eastern shriketit is a weak, mellow and mournful whistle, sounding like whiert, whit-whit, wheeir.[9] It also makes repeated stuttering or chuckling calls described as "knock-at-the-door", and can perfectly mimic many species within its habitat.
